Previews

Ghost Recon 2 Summit Strike

We go hands-on with the single player portion of the new "expansion" to Ubisoft's popular shooter.

Spiffy:

A bunch of new single player missions; more open-ended design; slightly improved graphics and lighting.

Iffy:

Some people weren't happy with the move to third-person, and that remains the perspective.

Out of all the Tom Clancy-branded series that have touched down over recent years, none has a more rabid following that the Ghost Recon games. The first game was an immediate hit in the early days of the Xbox, spawning an expansion pack of sorts, as well as a sequel that came out late last year. Not everyone was happy with the game, however, as it featured a number of major changes that made it more accessible, the biggest of which was the switch to a third-person perspective. Even though it gave gamers a wider view of what was going on around them, many people preferred the ultra-tight first-person view that featured nothing but their gun's reticle. Still, enough people bought the game to necessitate another "expansion" before the series moves to the next generation for good.

Now, when we use the term expansion when referring to these games, we mean only that they aren't sequels in the truest sense of the word. However, unlike PC games, you won't need the original game's disc to play Ghost Recon 2 Summit Strike. It's a self-contained expansion, and it actually offers nearly as much content as its predecessor. In addition to the requisite online multiplayer action, there are 11 new missions that make up a completely original storyline. It seems that a Pakistani warlord (yep, we've managed to insult another country!) has his eye on Kazakhstan, and he'll stop at nothing to take it over. It's up to you (and the rest of the Ghosts, natch) to save the day.

One of the first things you'll notice about the new single player game is the wider variety of terrains that you'll be traversing. The game kicks off in a snow-covered level that finds you hiking over mountains to get to your scattered objectives. Before things are over, you'll find yourself battling in heavily-wooded forests, taking potshots at enemies in a bombed-out city, and making your way through canyons that are choked with dust. The levels are feature some nice weather effects, including swirling dust clouds and driving snow. They don't really affect the gameplay that much (except on the rare occasion when you can't quite see your enemy from afar), but it definitely makes the experience more authentic.

For the most part, the core gameplay has remained the same. The controls will be instantly familiar to fans of the last game, and they can still be tweaked a bit if needed. You'll still be able to select a different loadout before each level, depending on how you want to play. Basically, you've got a "class" of weapon as your main selection (including Gunner, Marksman, and Rifleman), a secondary weapon, some heavy artillery (the bazooka is a personal favorite), and a thrown explosive. Before the missions begins, you'll be briefed on your objectives, which will help you choose the best loadout. For instance, if you've got to blow up a lot of stuff, selecting satchel charges and the anti-armor rocket is a good start. There have been a number of weapons added to the game, as well, so you've got more choices when selecting your arsenal.

If you were a fan of Ghost Recon 2, there's no doubt that you'll want to check out this so-called expansion, especially since it will be released at a bargain price. The title features a number of cosmetic improvements, from the better lighting and effects to the changes that were made to the mission structure. The multiplayer side of things has been built upon, too, although we didn't get enough of a chance to try it out. With the release of Ghost Recon 2 Summit Strike, Ubisoft and Tom Clancy are bridging the gap between the current and next generations. Rabid Recon fans, rejoice!